1952 Topps #69 Virgil Stallcup
1952 Topps #69 Virgil Stallcup
About Virgil Stallcup
Thomas Virgil "Red" Stallcup was a right-handed shortstop from Honea Path, South Carolina, who reached the majors after being signed by the Boston Red Sox before World War II and then selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Rule 5 draft following the 1946 season, when he batted .304 in the Class B Piedmont League. The lanky 6-foot-3 infielder debuted with Cincinnati in 1947 and served as the Reds' regular shortstop from 1948 through 1951, prized far more for his glove than his bat: he led National League shortstops in fielding percentage in 1949, 1950, and 1951. On May 13, 1952 he was traded with Dick Sisler to the St. Louis Cardinals for Wally Westlake and Eddie Kazak, and he made his final big-league appearance on April 25, 1953. Over seven seasons and 587 games he hit .241 with 22 home runs and 214 RBI, never topping .254 as a regular. On this 1952 Topps first-series card, #69 is found with both black-back and red-back printing variations.
Sources: Wikipedia · Baseball-Reference
Variations & how to tell them apart
Black Back / Red Back Series 1 (cards 1-80)
Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
- Black Back — scarcer: First printing. Reverse printed in black ink. Scarcer, and typically carries a small premium over the red back.
- Red Back: Second printing onward. Reverse printed in red ink. The more common of the two.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1-4 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 847 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 105 | 170 | 224 | 298 | 9 |
| SGC | 115 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 30 | 60 | 4 |
SGC by variation: Black Back 52 · Red Back 63
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-22. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8); totals are summed across each grader's listed variations.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the 1952 Topps Virgil Stallcup card?
It is card #69 of 407 in the 1952 Topps set - Topps' first flagship issue and the cornerstone of the postwar hobby. It pictures the Cincinnati Reds player.
Does the 1952 Topps Virgil Stallcup have back variations?
Yes. Every card in the first series exists with the back printed in either black or red ink. The black backs are the first printing and are scarcer; red backs (the second printing onward) are more common.
Is the 1952 Topps Virgil Stallcup valuable?
Value depends on grade and (where it applies) the back variation. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Baseball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.